Arianespace to launch Goturk-1 high-resolution observation satellite

Today in Le Bourget Arianespace has announced a launch contract with Telespazio to launch the Göktürk-1 satellite for the Turkish government.

Stéphane Israël, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and Luigi Pasquali, Chief Executive Officer of Telespazio, announced that they have signed today, at the 50th International Paris Air Show, the launch contract for the Göktürk-1 satellite. This is the ninth contract signed since the beginning of the year by Arianespace and the second commercial contract for Vega on the open market.

Telespazio is the prime contractor for the Göktürk-1 high-resolution observation system, while Thales Alenia Space is providing the space segment. Weighing 1100 kg at launch, the Göktürk-1 satellite will be launched by Arianespace's Vega light launcher into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 700 km. It will be launched from the Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, in 2015.

The Göktürk-1 system will provide very-high-quality panchromatic and multispectral products for a wide range of applications, including cadastral surveys, management of natural resources, environmental monitoring and homeland surveillance.

Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: "This is the fourth contract for Vega, after Sentinel 2 and 3, and DZZ-HR for Kazakhstan. We are also delighted to be working once again with Telespazio, with whom we have a long-standing relationship of mutual trust. Today, with the European launcher Vega, we can offer all customers new launch services for this type of mission. "